Ebbsfleet United assistant manager David Kerslake reacts to FA Trophy second-round win on penalties over Sittingbourne

Ebbsfleet assistant manager David Kerslake felt his team were in total control against Sittingbourne despite needing penalties to progress on Saturday.

The Fleet were denied victory in 90 minutes after a stoppage-time equaliser from the visitors in their FA Trophy second-round tie. They eventually went through 5-3 on penalties following the 1-1 draw.

“I'm sure everybody felt that we were in total control of the ball, in control of the game,” said Kerslake.

“First half, we weren't getting in behind enough. They've obviously come with a game plan, sit behind the ball. If that happens, no matter what happens, we've got to get players in behind their back five.

“We didn't do that as well as well we'd like to, but we got into the players and said we need to get players forward.

“We played with two 10s. We asked George Moncur and Finlay Barnes to do that and we started to break them down. Obviously, we've got the goal. We looked in total control but it's just the freakiest goal.

“These games are tough. They're a hard-working team, they've got spirit but it’s another victory for us.

“I did think we'd get the second goal, I thought we had far too much possession.

“We were creating chances, but it's been a little bit of a factor that's been going on this season. We are getting really good opportunities and we're not taking them.

“That's something that we're fully aware of, something that we will continue to work on in training.

“We should be putting teams out of sight and I think it didn't happen.

“But we've ended up with the character the players have shown, five great penalties have got us a victory in the end.”

Kerslake praised on-loan Watford keeper Jonathan Macaulay for his save in the shoot-out – and the stop he made just